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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Apolonio Papas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Risto Riekko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Risto Riekko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 179 cm
26
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0 |
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176 cm
26
170 lbs
3 - 4 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong |
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BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Apolonio Papas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Risto Riekko!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Santiago Holmes.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papas gets tackled into the cage by Riekko. Riekko maintains the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Riekko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Riekko blocks an elbow strike from Papas.
Riekko's coach down at Highland Brawl Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Riekko's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Nice elbow from Riekko.
It looks like Apolonio Papas has been cut.
Riekko content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Papas tries a knee to the head but Riekko blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Riekko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Papas has Riekko pressed against the cage.
Papas dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riekko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Papas up against the cage.
Riekko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Papas blocks an elbow strike from Riekko.
Riekko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Papas misses with an elbow strike.
Riekko pushes off an throws an elbow but Papas leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Riekko stalling.
Papas blocks an elbow strike.
Riekko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Riekko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Riekko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Papas breaks from the clinch.
Riekko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Riekko lands an elbow inside that Papas shrugs off.
Papas avoids a wild elbow strike from Riekko.
With the fighters up against the cage, Riekko throws an elbow but misses.
Papas avoids the elbow strike from Riekko, against the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riekko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Riekko slowing the pace effectively.
Riekko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Papas tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Riekko avoids it.
A frustrated look appears on Papas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riekko.
Papas tries to land knees in the clinch but Riekko avoids the damage to the body.
Riekko effectively controlling the action here.
Riekko throws an elbow but it misses.
Papas throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riekko blocks it with crossed arms.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papas creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Riekko pushes off an throws an elbow but Papas leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riekko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Riekko controlling the action here for a moment.
Riekko throws an elbow but it misses.
Riekko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
With the fighters up against the cage, Papas throws an elbow but misses.
Papas throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Riekko throws an elbow but it misses.
Riekko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Riekko looks to throw an elbow but misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papas blocks an elbow strike from Riekko.
Riekko avoiding damage as Papas throws knees to the body.
Papas misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Riekko.
Papas is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Riekko is defending well for now.
Riekko throws an elbow but it misses.
Papas blocks an elbow strike from Riekko.
Papas breaks from the clinch.
Riekko scores with a jab to the head.
We've been told by Papas's head coaches at RCJ Machado Jiu-Jitsu that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riekko. Papas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Riekko jabs Papas right on the nose. Papas blinks but takes it well.
Risto Riekko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riekko throws a shot to the body.
Riekko tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Papas counters with a slapping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Papas thows a body kick. Riekko tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A head kick from Papas lands but Riekko takes it in his stride.
Riekko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Papas, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Risto Riekko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Apolonio Papas's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Riekko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Papas defending well as Riekko loads up on a big left hand.
Riekko moves out of range of the body kick.
Papas staying out of range there.
Papas lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Riekko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Riekko jabs at Papas's body.
Papas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Riekko.
Papas looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Riekko avoids a kick to the body.
Riekko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Risto Riekko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Riekko lands a damaging elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riekko misses with an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Riekko throws an elbow but misses.
Papas blocks an elbow strike.
Riekko lands an elbow that stopped Papas in his tracks for a moment.
Riekko throws an elbow that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Riekko misses with an elbow strike.
Riekko blocks an elbow strike.
Riekko avoiding damage as Papas throws knees to the body.
Papas has Riekko pressed against the cage.
Riekko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Papas blocks an elbow strike.
Riekko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Riekko misses with an elbow strike.
Papas dodges an elbow strike from Riekko.
Riekko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Riekko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Riekko managing to block the knees to the body from Papas.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riekko throws an elbow that misses.
Riekko wants to stall.
Papas jumps guard and drags Riekko to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Riekko wants to control from the top but Papas keeps moving.
Papas has Riekko pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riekko gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Apolonio Papas is winning the standup battle so far.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Papas.
Riekko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Apolonio Papas's cut is getting worse.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riekko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riekko cracks Papas with an open hand slap.
Papas moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Riekko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Riekko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Papas is able to avoid easily.
Papas is looking to chop away at Riekko's legs.
Papas looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Papas lands a leg kick that knocks Riekko off balance momentarily.
Riekko takes a head kick and keeps coming.
It looks like Risto Riekko has been cut.
Riekko has managed to clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Papas blocks an elbow strike from Riekko.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Riekko throws a head punch that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papas avoids a wild elbow strike from Riekko.
Riekko looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Papas blocks the elbow strike.
Riekko pushes off an throws an elbow but Papas leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Papas is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Riekko is defending well for now.
Riekko lands an elbow inside that Papas shrugs off.
Papas blocks an elbow strike from Riekko.
Riekko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Riekko leaning against his opponent.
Riekko throws an elbow but it misses.
Riekko managing to block the knees to the body from Papas.
Riekko is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Papas is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Risto Riekko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Riekko looks to throw the jab but Papas is out of range.
Papas appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Papas needs to keep his hands up - Riekko had a free shot at his head there.
Riekko tried to score with a low kick but Papas checks it.
Papas turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Papas connects with an inside leg kick.
Papas misses with a kick to the body.
Papas throws a leg kick which misses Riekko's front leg but catches the back leg as Riekko tries to avoid it.
Papas throws a low kick but Riekko moves out of range easily.
Riekko tries to clinch but Papas is having none of it.
Riekko cracks Papas with a right hand to the side of the head.
Riekko throws a low kick but it's checked well by Papas.
Riekko checks the leg kick nicely there.
Riekko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Papas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Papas.
Riekko swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Papas finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Papas takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Riekko crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Papas - the referee stops the clock and Riekko gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Papas. Riekko manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Riekko looks to land a left hand but Papas moved out of range nicely.
Riekko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Papas.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Riekko takes a swing at Papas's ribcage but misses.
Papas chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Riekko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Riekko connects with a body shot.
Papas throws a front kick that sends Riekko stumbling back into the cage.
Riekko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Papas pushes Riekko away with a front kick.
Riekko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Papas throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Riekko flicks out a counter leg kick but Papas steps away.
An inside leg kick lands from Papas.
Riekko looks to score with a jab to the body but Papas is just out of range.
Papas looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Papas lands a nice leg kick that just misses Riekko's sensitive parts.
Papas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Riekko tries to counter with a clinch but Papas shakes him off and moves away.
Riekko avoids the head kick by Papas.
Riekko's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Riekko throws a lazy right hand but Papas sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riekko throws a leg kick
and Papas counters with a low kick, right behind Riekko 's knee.
Papas throws a hook but Riekko blocks it.
Papas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Papas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Riekko.
Papas tries a head kick but it misses.
Riekko looks to land a left hand but Papas moved out of range nicely.
Riekko lands with an overhand left.
Papas goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Riekko clinches up with Papas and pushes him back against the cage.
Riekko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Riekko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Riekko dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Riekko has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Papas.
Riekko misses with an elbow over the top.
Papas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Papas blocks an elbow strike.
Apolonio Papas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Riekko misses with an elbow over the top.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riekko.
Riekko misses with an elbow over the top.
Riekko throws an elbow but it misses.
Papas takes an elbow to the forehead.
Riekko looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Riekko lands an elbow just above Papas 's eye.
With the fighters up against the cage, Riekko throws an elbow but misses.
Riekko looking to slow down the pace here.
Riekko is stalling here.
Riekko stalling in the clinch but Papas improves position.
The referee calls for Riekko to work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riekko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Papas blocks an elbow strike.
Riekko looking to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Risto Riekko.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riekko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Papas was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Riekko wants to clinch up but Papas keeps it at a distance.
Papas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Riekko.
Riekko moves in looking to clinch but Papas pushes him off.
Riekko's jab looks to have found its range, popping Papas under the eye.
Risto Riekko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Papas's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Riekko connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Papas scrambles back to his feet.
Riekko scores with a punch to the head.
Riekko is looking to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Riekko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A low kick from Papas misses
and Riekko counters with a straight right hand.
Papas lands a big head kick that sends Riekko tumbling to the mat! Papas takes a step backwards and waves Riekko back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Papas throws the kick towards the body but Riekko avoids it.
Riekko tries to counter by closing the distance.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Apolonio Papas.
I think Riekko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Risto Riekko!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
56% |
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